Chapter 161: Chapter 161

77. Brother & Sister SKYLA.

The wind blows through my hair as I place a single red rose that I had sprayed the edges with gold paint, with the green leaves and thorns intact on top of Chris’s grave. 9 They brought his body back to Black Storm Territory, even though he was the alpha of the Dark Storm Pack.

He was born on Black Storm territory, and Raihana wanted him to rest in the same place as his family, and besides Papa Raf.

“No white from me Romeo… you and Ri… you were that couple who were always so damn extra and it fucking looked good on you. So, here’s a rose that stands out…” I lower my head. 3 I promise you, I’ll do my best to be there for these guys, Ri, Tatum, and Heaven. We will fucking be there for them all. And if you do happen to come across Hecate, tell her Skyla Rossi sends her a fuck you.

I smirk at my thoughts but it’s no joke, Hecate did us fucking dirty.

Jainana had imprisoned herself in one of their secure cells when she learned of the command from Hecate, and although she recovered somewhat, she was weakened for disobeying the will of Hecate. A great loss for the witches, since she was one of the strongest. 2 Those who had felt guilty yet feared the wrath of Hecate were ashamed and I hate she put them through that shit.

One thing I know is that the gods are fucking selfish. All they ever fucking care about is themselves.

That is something that I’ve realised and it’s obvious. 3 Even Song was on that battlefield, although she was hanging back and was knocked out pretty fast. It comes down to suffering your god’s wrath or doing their bidding.

Like Dante… I wonder- 1 A large shadow falls over me, and I smirk.

“I was just about to think about you.” I say as I turn to see Dante standing there and I get up. 1 “Oh, yeah?” He asks, cocking a brow.

“Yeah, about the gods. They don’t fucking care for us and I think it’s not only you who makes your decisions, right? Like I know you try to avoid messing with the balance and shit… but why do I feel like if you defy the rules they have for you… That you pay a price? I’ve seen you, Dante. The times you look tired… moments it’s easier to look into your eyes, almost as if you’ve been drained or worn down.”

I say, staring at him. The sunglasses don’t really do much for me anymore and I can see his pupils faintly through the shades. 1 “Why so concerned for me, dear sister?”

So, I’m right.

I slap his arm before I plant my hands on my hips and look up at him.

“So, you can’t say. Well, I’m no demi-god so…” I stick my middle fingers up at the sky. 1 He smirks before shaking his head. “So, are you defending me? I should feel honoured.” He smirks.

“Na… just stating facts and shit.” I sigh. “Can I ask you a question? I mean, if you can’t answer, it’s cool.”

“Shoot.” He says as he looks down at Chris’s grave, falling silent.

I stand beside him.

“Maybe I am just delusional, but you did treat. me differently to Kat growing up. I mean, even Azura annoyed you a lot, but you never used to be as harsh with her. Was it just because of the way I fucking am, or was there more?”

I look up at him, masking how I feel. There was something… sometimes… I almost felt as if he was angry, hostile even.

I don’t want to tell him that it did hurt. I know I’m a bit much for some people… I get that…

He lowers his head, his brow furrowing.

“No, not the way you are. I know I did that, and I owe you an apology for it.” His voice is barely above a whisper as he turns to me and takes my hands in his.

I tilt my head. I don’t remember the last time he’s held my hands… his aren’t as soft as they used to be… and they’ve grown…

“I can’t see the future, but I see possible. outcomes at times. Like pictures, I need to figure out…”

“And?” I push, he is struggling… but why?

“And your future showed two outcomes…” He looks up, squeezing my hands gently. I remain silent, waiting for him to continue. “And there was a higher chance that you chose the dark over the light.”

My heart thuds as I stare at him, shaking my head.

No.

“I hoped you wouldn’t… but there was a future where you and Aleric were together… not you and Royce… But the moment they both stepped into your life, the chance of you choosing the light grew…”

“Selene wouldn’t have…” I trail off, not knowing what to say. Does she even control if we’re good or bad?

“Well, she took a chance when she created you… Knowing you will have more darkness around you, but your destiny was in your hands and despite what the gods tied you to, you still chose to do the right thing… it just shows no matter what was forced upon you, you chose the light and I’m super proud of you, My Audacious. Lioness. And I’m sorry, sorry for being such a douche to you.” 1 His words are shocking. It’s twisted, but it makes sense and I don’t know what to say.

“Na, it’s cool… I guess that makes sense.”

“No, it’s not cool, because unintentionally, I possibly was pushing you further into the darkness. I’m not perfect… but I’m trying to do things without looking at what is to come.” He says quietly. 3 A world where I chose the darkness…

“We all have a darkness within us. Don’t think about it, but I am sorry. I owe you that and more.”

“It’s cool.” I say shrugging. I’m about to pull away not knowing what to feel when he pulls me into his arms and gives me a tight hug that reminds me so much of Dad’s… 1 “No, it’s not…. I saw you on that battlefield and I realised that I need to follow my own heart, as you would say, damn the consequences. I know I can’t exactly do that, but I am going to try to do the best I can, and not judge people by what may never come to be… I need to live in the present… not the future. I learned that from you, Sky, not to let my situation shape me.” 4 He doesn’t open up much, and I know it’s taking a lot for him to share that, but his words. really hit hard.

I know he’s going through a lot and he’s trying to be there for us, even though he knows bits of what’s to come, without anyone to share it with. 1 “You know… I agree with you… you do need to live in the present… the future is fucked, we know that, but when that shit comes, I’m sure we’ll be ready for it.” I say as he slowly releases “Yeah, and I think you’ll be right there, ready for it.” He gives me a small smirk and I can’t help but return it.

“Yeah, I will be.”

“So, are we cool?” He asks.

I tilt my head, no… I can’t let him off so easily….

“If you let me do your nails.” I state.

His smile vanishes. “My nails?”

“Please? I’ll make them pretty or sexy, whatever you prefer.” I say, the idea of giving him a pair of red stilettoes now excites me. 1 “I think it’s a fair deal.” Grandad El’s voice comes, making us both turn. 2 “I’m not sure it is, Grandad unless you want to take my place?” Dante counters with a smirk.

Grandad El smiles as he pays his respect to Chris. For a moment, his face is solemn as he touches the tombstone before he looks at the two of us.

“So do we have a deal?” I whisper to Dante, nudging him.

Grandad El gestures with his head at me, and I smirk when Dante sighs.

“I guess it’s only fair after what I’ve done to you.”

“Yes!” I say before I look at his hands. “I hope we have enough humongousaurus nails…”

I glance at Grandad El and realise he’s wearing his jacket. Guess they’re leaving.

“Are you heading out?” I ask as he motions for me to walk with him. Dante follows us, and he nods.

“Yes, we need to get back now.”

I nod slowly. “I see…”

I can see Mama Red talking to Royce, and my heart skips a beat at the sight of him.

He’s wearing light blue denim torn jeans and a white shirt tucked into those jeans with a leather belt and black boots. Damn, I want to jump him now…

He looks up as if sensing me watching and a small smile crosses his lips, making my heart skip a beat…

Grandad El chuckles as he comes to a stop and looks at me. “I am proud of you, Skyla, not only for how you showed that you are a warrior princess, but how you knew what you wanted… bond or not.”

He sighs softly and looks over at Mama Red. “You know, sometimes I wonder how things would have been if we weren’t fated. Sometimes people said that I only had feelings. for her because she was my fated… but I know, bond or not, she was the one.” 2 I smile across at him, feeling a wave of warmth fill me, and I nod.

“I get that, one thousand fucking percent… because when the blood moon came, I didn’t once hope he was my mate… because I knew, mate or not, that man is mine.”